Many birds make loud, shrill calls that can be easily recognized. Determining exactly which bird is making a particular call requires carefully listening to the details of the sound and understanding the kinds of birds found in that geographic area. Some of the most common shrill bird calls come from jays, nuthatches, sparrows, swallows, blackbirds, and finches. Listening for characteristics like frequency, pitch, rhythm, duration, and seasonality can help identify the specific bird. Quickly recognizing bird calls takes practice, but learning some of the most common shrill bird voices can clue you in more easily.
What is a shrill bird call?
A shrill call is one that is loud, high-pitched, and piercing. The frequency of shrill bird calls often falls between 2-6 kHz on average, though it can be higher at times. Shrill calls often have a narrow frequency range compared to other calls. The pitch and tone quality is sharp rather than rich. Shrill calls are often short in duration, though some birds repeat the same shrill note over and over. Examples of descriptors for shrill calls include:
– High-pitched
– Piercing
– Loud
– Harsh
– Penetrating
– Narrow frequency range
– Staccato or repetitive notes
While shrill calls can be annoying to human ears at times, they serve an important purpose for birds in the wild. Shrill calls are easier for other birds to hear over longer distances, allowing birds to communicate across their territory. Loud, frequent shrill calls are often used to signal alarm or draw attention. Birds emitting shrill calls may be trying to defend resources, attract a mate, or keep group members coordinated.
Common shrill bird calls
Jays
Jays are famous for their loud, shrill calls that sound similar to a squeaky gate. Most species have very piercing alarm or flock contact calls. Blue jays make a particularly well-known shrill “jay jay” call often written as “jeeeeah.” Steller’s jays have complex repertoires of harsh and shrill shrieks. Scrub jays give a high, squealing “phee-u.”
Nuthatches
All nuthatch species produce piercing, squeaky vocalizations. The most common is the nasal “yank yank” of the white-breasted nuthatch, often likened to a tin trumpet. Red-breasted nuthatches have a more drawn-out, rubber duck-like “waa-waa-waa” call. Pygmy nuthatches make rapid, repetitive piping calls at a very high pitch.
Sparrows
Many sparrow species are known for loud, buzzing trills and sharp “tchip” alarm calls. Chipping sparrows live up to their name with their very shrill, sustained trilling song. Vesper sparrows similarly trill loudly. Savannah sparrows use a thin, rising “seeee” call. Song sparrows make buzzy “chev chev” and bouncing “chook chook” calls.
Swallows
The calls of swallows are often piercing and energetic. Tree swallows have a harsh, rasping “chek” contact call. Barn swallows communicate with metallic sounding “chirr” or “chwert” calls. Bank swallows use piercing “fit-fit-fit” calls. Cliff swallows chatter with staccato, gurgling sounds.
Blackbirds
Red-winged blackbirds are known for their loud, scratchy calls. Males sing an abrupt “tcheck” or “took took” song. Females answer with a shrill, buzzing trill. Yellow-headed blackbirds also produce chained high notes. Rusty blackbirds make squeaky “chuck” sounds. Brewer’s blackbirds vocalize with sharp “speek” calls.
Finches
Many finch species create loud, complex, shrill vocalizations. The house finch song is a long string of warbles, but also includes harsh “chek” and “sit” calls. Purple finches also have piercing, stuttering warbles and short “dit” notes. Cassin’s finch produces shrill buzzy trills. American goldfinch songs are highly varied, but often have squeaky notes mixed in.
Identifying shrill bird calls
Distinguishing between the shrill calls of different bird species takes practice. Here are some tips for identification:
– Note the frequency or pitch. Is it very high-pitched or more moderate? This can help narrow possibilities.
– Pay attention to rhythm and repetition. Are the notes fast or slow? Singular or repeated?
– Consider tone quality. Does it sound piercing, nasal, rattling, ringing, buzzing, etc?
– Listen for unique characteristics like warbling, trilling, squawking, whining.
– Note the pattern or sequence. Is there an identifiable phrase?
– Consider the season. Is this species present and vocalizing right now?
– Think about behavior. Is the call associated with flight, perching, foraging?
– Observe visually when possible and try associating call with bird species.
With careful listening and plenty of field experience, you can hone your ability to distinguish the most common loud, shrill bird calls.
Bird Species | Shrill Call Description |
---|---|
Blue jay | Piercing “jeeeeah” notes |
White-breasted nuthatch | Nasal, tin trumpet “yank yank” |
Chipping sparrow | Buzzing trill song |
Tree swallow | Harsh “chek” calls |
Red-winged blackbird | Buzzing trills and scratchy “tcheck” song |
House finch | Warbling song with harsh “chek” calls |
Tips for identifying shrill bird calls
Pay attention to pitch and frequency
Focus on whether the call seems very high-pitched or more moderate. Extremely high, piercing notes will narrow down the possibilities faster.
Note rhythm and repetition
Listen for aspects like speed, pauses, repetition. A repetitive chip note is different than a long buzz.
Consider tone quality
Sharp, squeaky, rattling? The descriptors you choose provide clues.
Listen for unique characteristics
Trilling, squawking, whistling? Unique stylings help point to the species.
Think about the season
Consider which birds are present and vocalizing in your area at that time of year.
Observe the bird visually when possible
Try to connect the vocalization to the bird making it to cement the identification.
Common shrill bird vocalizations
Species | Call Description | Call Purpose |
---|---|---|
Blue jay | Piercing “jeeah” notes | Flock contact |
White-breasted nuthatch | Nasal “yank yank” calls | Territorial signaling |
Chipping sparrow | Buzzing trill song | Mate attraction |
Tree swallow | Harsh “chek” call | Alarm/alert |
Red-winged blackbird | Buzzing trills | Territorial defense |
House finch | Warbling song | Mate attraction |
Conclusion
Identifying shrill bird calls by ear takes patience and practice, but you can hone your skills with careful listening. Pay attention to pitch, tone quality, rhythm, and uniqueness of vocalizations. Consider the likely species in your area and try to spot the calling bird. Over time, you will build familiarity with the most common piercing bird calls in your region. Being able to recognize species like jays, nuthatches, sparrows, swallows, blackbirds, and finches by their calls allows you to gain information and connect more deeply with your local bird life.